Mmm, communities ... it's about how to create a shop window (whether that is for stories or poetry) and then fill it with good things that attract new readers from outside Hive. It has taken a little while (several months) to work out the best way forward for The Ink Well.
In my opinion the two can co-exist but it is not optimal.
Agree - another poetry specific community would be a good option. Building a community takes a lot of time, though. Part of the discussions would have to be about finding a group of people who were willing to give time to support the community (and who had some expertise in poetry). But your idea of testing it out through The Ink Well is a good one, thank you 😍
I'm certain you know a lot more than me on this and the best ways in which TIW is growing - I would suggest, however, such an idea:
By focusing TIW community on creative writing as a whole, (excluding poetry) and in that still implementing different windows for different specific types of writing to narrow down the content further, (short stories for example) whilst fully migrating poetry to a brand new community and also splitting that up into different windows for different types of poetic writing or themes, (this could be worked on and discussed) - by doing this, both writers and poets could reap many benefits of having permanent communities available to them to share with and engage with.
Of course, the manifestation of such an idea is easier said and thought of than actually done... I would strongly suggest thinking about a strategic and well-timed post to TIW community, throwing the idea out there, calling out to anyone interested in undertaking such a project. Seeing the poetic crowd usually on here, I am certain some would step up to the task.